Smoke alarm system

ABSTRACT

A smoke detector alarm system configured with improvements that enable remotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector while recharging the battery such that there is not a loss of battery power in case of a power outage and the battery replacement needs are reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to detectors and alarms, such as thetypes which are installed in residential homes and use a disposablebattery as either the sole or as backup power, and more particularly, toresidential smoke detectors which use disposable batteries as the soleor backup power.

Batteries are used either as sole or as backup power for residentialsmoke detectors. Some rely on 9-volt disposable batteries. When thebattery is exhausted, a battery-powered smoke detector becomes inactive,both in instances where the battery is the sole power source and wherethe battery provides backup power, if there is an outage in thehousehold electrical supply or interruption to the electrical supply orwiring connected to the smoke detector. Accordingly, regular testing ofthe battery is recommended. A “test” button on the detector can bepressed to test the battery. Most smoke detectors also emit an audible“chirp” sound repeatedly when the battery is low. Smoke detectors areoften hard-wired to the household electrical supply within

Smoke detectors are almost always mounted on ceilings or high up onwalls, which makes accessing the device require the use of a ladder or achair. This can be a hassle for most individuals, but is very difficultand even dangerous for some people, particularly individuals who areelderly, disabled, mobility-impaired, suffer from conditions that affectsense of balance, etc. Indeed, standing on an elevated surface whiletrying to reach upward to manipulate a smoke detector creates aninherent risk of falling and sustaining injury.

Perhaps for the above reasons it has been found that battery-poweredsmoke detectors in many houses have dead batteries. According to the USNational Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) January 2019 reportentitled “Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires”, 17% of home fire deathsresulted from smoke alarms that were not working. The report alsorevealed that in fires in which the smoke alarms were present but didnot operate, 43% of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnectedbatteries, and dead batteries are the cause of 25% of the smoke alarmfailures.

In response public information campaigns have been created to remindpeople to change smoke detector batteries regularly. For example, inregions using daylight saving time, campaigns may suggest that peoplechange their batteries when they change their clocks or on a birthday.

The NFPA recommends that home-owners replace smoke detector batterieswith a new battery at least once per year, when it starts chirping tosignal that the battery is low, or when it fails a test, which the NFPArecommends to be carried out at least once per month.

It is evident that many individuals are not regularly testing orchanging the batteries in their detectors. Accordingly, there is a needfor improvement and solution to address the aforementioned issues thatmake the detector battery testing and changing process cumbersome,difficult and dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to improvements in existing fire andsmoke alarm systems.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to an improvement to asmoke detector alarm system configured for remotely positioning a smokedetector battery from a smoke detector, the smoke detector alarm systemincluding: a support housing including a battery module having a batteryreceiving portion configured to non-permanently retain the smokedetector battery therein in contact with a first set of electricalconnectors disposed in the battery receiving portion, the first set ofelectrical connectors forming an electrical connection with the battery;a first plurality of wires having a first end for connecting to theelectrical connectors in the battery module; and a second end forconnecting to a second set of electrical connectors in a smoke detector,wherein the first plurality of wires have a sufficient length to permitthe battery module to be disposed remotely from the smoke detector forconvenient monitoring and replacement of the smoke detector battery, theimprovement to the smoke detector alarm system comprising: a secondplurality of wires electrically connected to the first set of electricalconnectors and an electrical power supply, wherein the second pluralityof wires provide electrical power sufficient to monitor, test andrecharge the power of the battery; and the battery being a rechargeablebattery.

In some embodiments, one of a light switch and an electrical socket isdisposed within the support housing adjacent to the battery receivingportion.

In some embodiments, the support housing comprises an electricaljunction box.

In some embodiments, a wall plate is configured to cover the supporthousing. In some embodiments, the wall plate further comprises a hingeddoor covering the battery receiving portion.

In some embodiments, the battery module further comprises acommunication device in connection with the battery configured toprovide a communication relating to the monitoring, testing andrecharging status of power associated with the battery.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to an improvement to asmoke detector alarm system configured for remotely positioning a smokedetector battery from a smoke detector, the smoke detector alarm systemincluding: a support housing including a battery module having a batteryreceiving portion configured to non-permanently retain the smokedetector battery therein in contact with a first set of electricalconnectors disposed in the battery receiving portion, the first set ofelectrical connectors forming an electrical connection with the battery;a first plurality of wires having a first end for connecting to theelectrical connectors in the battery module; and a second end forconnecting to a second set of electrical connectors in a smoke detector,wherein the first plurality of wires have a sufficient length to permitthe battery module to be disposed remotely from the smoke detector forconvenient monitoring and replacement of the smoke detector battery, theimprovement to the smoke detector alarm system comprising: a secondplurality of wires electrically connected to the first set of electricalconnectors and an electrical power supply, wherein the second pluralityof wires provide electrical power sufficient to monitor, test andrecharge the battery; the battery being a rechargeable battery; and adata communication device in connection with the battery configured towirelessly transmit a communication relating to the monitoring, testingand recharging status of power associated with the battery.

Other embodiments, features and advantages of the invention will bereadily appreciated and apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system constructed in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is depicts front and perspective views of certain elements of asystem of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front schematic view of the embodiment of thesystem shown in FIG. 1 illustrating in particular certain electricalconnections; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of abattery-shaped electrical connector for facilitating an electricalconnection with a smoke detector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description provides exemplary embodiments ofalerting devices, such as smoke alarm devices. It will be readilyunderstood from the description of the embodiments of the inventionherein, and the elements thereof, could be alternatively configuredwithin the scope of the invention. This description is thereforeintended to generally describe and illustrate examples of the inventionbut is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the examples,embodiments and elements described herein.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrates a fire/smoke alarm system 100 installed within aroom 102 of a home. It should be understood that system 100 may be usedin any building used for any purpose, including residential andcommercial use. System 100 includes a battery module 104 that isdisposed remotely from a smoke detector 106. In particular, batterymodule 104 is mounted at an easily accessible location of the home whichdoes not require a ladder, stool or effort to reach. The smoke detector106 is attached to an upper portion 108 of a vaulted ceiling 110 of theroom 102. By being positioned on the upper portion 108 of the vaultedceiling 110, the smoke detector 106 is optimally positioned for quicklydetecting smoke but is more difficult to access, especially to installor replace a battery.

In this embodiment of the invention battery module 104 is connected atan electrical junction box 112 including a wall plate 114 coveringjunction box 112. It should be understood that the wall plate may be anyshape, and may be shaped to accommodate light switches and/or electricaloutlets. While a light switch 116 is shown for illustrative purposes, itshould be understood from the description herein that junction box 112is intended to receive electrical power from electrical lines supplyingelectricity to the home, such as from a utility power or generatorsupplying electrical power to and within the home and/or room 102, andtherefore may also have one or more light switches and/or electricaloutlets or be dedicated to providing electrical communication withbattery module 104.

The configuration shown enables battery module 104 to be attached to awall 118 of room 102 at the height normally provided for light switches,which is a substantially more conveniently accessible location than thelocation of smoke detector 106. Battery module 104 is in electricalcommunication with smoke detector 106 via wires 120, shown in phantomlines, which electrically connect battery module 104 with smoke detector106. It should be readily apparent that wires 120 may be extended overthe exposed side of wall 118 and ceiling 110 or through the unexposedside of wall 118 and ceiling 110. In either case, homeowners, regardlessof their physical condition, may more easily monitor, install, andchange the battery for smoke detector 106.

As shown in FIG. 2, battery module 104 includes battery contacts 122connected with wires 120 within junction box 112 hidden behind wallplate 114 and module 104. In this embodiment, contacts 122 are also inelectrical communication with the electrical supply available in thehome which is used to recharge a battery, such as a 9 Volt battery,connected with contacts 122 within battery module 104.

The battery holder of the battery module is shaped to retain the batterythat is normally installed in the battery compartment of the smokedetector. The battery holder also includes electrical contacts that areelectrically connected to the wires and are disposed to engage theterminals of the battery when held by the battery holder.

In this embodiment, wires 120, which may be covered by an insulator,electrically connect contacts 122 in battery module 104 at a first end124 thereof, and form an electrical connection 126 with smoke detector106 at a second end 128 thereof.

Battery module 104 is accessible through a hinged door 130 havinglatching mechanisms 132 and 134 for forming a non-permanent engagementthat retains door 130 in a closed position. A rechargeable battery 136having electrically conductive connectors 138 is in electricalcommunication with both a home or room electrical supply through wires140 (which may be connected with the bypass connectors (not shown) oflight switch 116) and smoke detector 106 through wires 120 throughconnectors 138 being in contact with contacts 122 in battery module 104.Thus, battery 136 is both able to power smoke detector 106 and beingrecharged through the connection with wires 140, which advantageouslyenables battery 136 to be sufficiently charged in case of a power outageand reduces the requirement to change battery 136.

In some embodiments, electrical connection 126, that is, the connectionof wires 120 to smoke detector 106 at second end 128, thus providingelectrical communication between battery module 104 and smoke detector106, is facilitated by a connector disposed at end 128. The connectormay be a battery-shaped body, that is, a 9-volt shaped body of the sameor similar size and shape as battery 136 disposed at end 128, which isinert and not a battery (e.g., a “dummy” battery), but rather, by beingof a similar size and shape, the second end 128 facilitates forming theelectrical connection 126. For example, the second end 128 may includethe battery-shaped body with a 9V battery snap connector for cooperatingwith corresponding connectors on smoke detector 106. A system of theinvention may be more easily retrofitted into an existing system.

An exemplary electrical connector 141 that may be used with the systemof the invention is shown in FIG. 4. The electrical connector 141connected at second end 128 of wires 120 provides the advantage of beingshaped to be installed in a wide variety of battery compartments ofsmoke detectors. The electrical connector 142 is dummy orpseudo-battery, simulating the dimensions of the smoke detector batteryto enable the pseudo-battery to be installed in the smoke detector inplace of the smoke detector battery. Specifically, the electricalconnector 141 includes a structure 142 that has dimensions, length 144,width 146, and thickness 148, similar to the type of battery that isnormally installed within the smoke detector 106. For example, thestructure may have the dimensions of a 9V battery, an AA battery, a 123Abattery, and other batteries known in the art. The electrical connector141 also includes two electrical contacts 150 disposed to engage thecorresponding contacts of the smoke detector 106. As shown, theelectrical contacts 150 are connected to the wires 120. Wires 120 may beoriented to conveniently exit the structure 142 by passing throughorientation slots 152 that help to properly position and prevent damageto the wires 120 as they exit the smoke detector 106.

A system of the invention having a remote battery access device andadded electrical supply for recharging the battery is thereforedisclosed that enables the battery for a smoke detector and alarm systemto be remotely positioned from the smoke detector, conveniently locatedfor monitoring and maintenance of the smoke detector battery andrecharged, such that the battery needs to be changed less in eitherbackup or sole battery-powered smoke detector capacities, and is morelikely to function in case of a power outage or other interruption inelectrical supply for smoke detectors using a battery for backup power.The convenient positioning of the battery makes it more likely thathomeowners will better monitor and maintain their alarm system in anoperational state, while also advantageously enabling the alarm systemto maintain the battery in a fully charged state. Thus, the remotebattery access device of the invention may save lives by ensuring thatthe smoke alarm system functions properly to alert the home occupants incase of fire.

In case the battery fails or for some reason is not being recharged, thebattery module may also include a low battery indicator usingconventional circuitry that flashes a light emitting diode (LED) withsimilar circuitry used on currently available smoke detectors. Thus,when the smoke detector begins to emit an audible signal to indicatethat the charge in a connected battery is low, the LED of the batterymodule will also flash to help indicate which smoke detector batteryneeds to be replaced. In some embodiments, the circuitry is furtherconfigured to include a data communication device to communicatewirelessly, such as through Wifi or Bluetooth technology, with adownloadable mobile application or smart home device upon detectingbattery status or a battery power issue such as low power or if thebattery does not appear to be recharging.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention maybe shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenienceonly. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature ofa drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with anyfeature of any other drawing.

While exemplary devices, apparatus, systems and methods of the inventionhave been described herein, it should also be understood that theforegoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments withexemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of theinvention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilledin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered aslimiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, theinvention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth by the claimsand any equivalents thereto.

1. An improvement to a smoke detector alarm system configured forremotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector, thesmoke detector alarm system including: a support housing including abattery module having a battery receiving portion configured tonon-permanently retain the smoke detector battery therein in contactwith a first set of electrical connectors disposed in the batteryreceiving portion, the first set of electrical connectors forming anelectrical connection with the battery; a first plurality of wireshaving a first end for connecting to the electrical connectors in thebattery module; and a second end for connecting to a second set ofelectrical connectors in a smoke detector, wherein the first pluralityof wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to bedisposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring andreplacement of the smoke detector battery, the improvement to the smokedetector alarm system comprising: a) a second plurality of wireselectrically connected to the first set of electrical connectors and anelectrical power supply, wherein the second plurality of wires provideelectrical power sufficient to monitor, test and recharge the battery;and b) the battery being a rechargeable battery.
 2. The improvement to asmoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of alight switch and an electrical socket is disposed within the supporthousing adjacent to the battery receiving portion.
 3. The improvement toa smoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 1, wherein the supporthousing comprises an electrical junction box.
 4. The improvement to asmoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 3, further comprising awall plate configured to cover the support housing.
 5. The improvementto a smoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 4, wherein the wallplate further comprises a hinged door covering the battery receivingportion.
 6. The improvement to a smoke detector alarm system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises a communicationdevice in connection with the battery configured to provide acommunication relating to the monitoring, testing and recharging statusof the battery.
 7. An improvement to a smoke detector alarm systemconfigured for remotely positioning a smoke detector battery from asmoke detector, the smoke detector alarm system including: a supporthousing including a battery module having a battery receiving portionconfigured to non-permanently retain the smoke detector battery thereinin contact with a first set of electrical connectors disposed in thebattery receiving portion, the first set of electrical connectorsforming an electrical connection with the battery; a first plurality ofwires having a first end for connecting to the electrical connectors inthe battery module; and a second end for connecting to a second set ofelectrical connectors in a smoke detector, wherein the first pluralityof wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to bedisposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring andreplacement of the smoke detector battery, the improvement to the smokedetector alarm system comprising: a) a second plurality of wireselectrically connected to the first set of electrical connectors and anelectrical power supply, wherein the second plurality of wires provideelectrical power sufficient to monitor, test and recharge the battery;b) the battery being a rechargeable battery; and c) a data communicationdevice configured to communicate the monitoring, testing and rechargingstatus of power associated with the battery.
 8. The improvement to asmoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 7, wherein the supporthousing comprises an electrical junction box.
 9. The improvement to asmoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 7, further comprising awall plate configured to cover the support housing.
 10. The improvementto a smoke detector alarm system as recited in claim 9, wherein the wallplate further comprises a hinged door covering the battery receivingportion.
 11. The improvement to a smoke detector alarm system as recitedin claim 9, wherein the data communication device is mounted in thesupport housing.
 12. The improvement to a smoke detector alarm system asrecited in claim 7, wherein a light is disposed within the supporthousing.
 13. The improvement to a smoke detector alarm system as recitedin claim 12, wherein the data communication device is configured toilluminate the light responsive to the status of power associated withthe battery.
 14. The improvement to a smoke detector alarm system asrecited in claim 7, wherein the data communication device communicateswirelessly.
 15. An improved smoke detector alarm system configured forremotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector, theimproved smoke detector alarm system comprising a support housingincluding a battery module having a battery receiving portion configuredto non-permanently retain the smoke detector battery therein in contactwith a first set of electrical connectors disposed in the batteryreceiving portion, the first set of electrical connectors forming anelectrical connection with the battery; a first plurality of wireshaving a first end for connecting to the electrical connectors in thebattery module; and a second end for connecting to a second set ofelectrical connectors in a smoke detector, wherein the first pluralityof wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to bedisposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring andreplacement of the smoke detector battery, wherein: a) a secondplurality of wires is electrically connected to the first set ofelectrical connectors and an electrical power supply, wherein the secondplurality of wires provide electrical power sufficient to monitor, testand recharge the battery; b) the battery is a rechargeable battery; andc) a data communication device mounted in the support housing isoperatively associated with the battery to communicate the monitoring,testing and recharging status of power associated with the battery.